The Dress

Circa Vintage Brides

Astral Sundholm-Hayes is the Designer behind Circa Vintage Brides. Her childhood was spent dressing up in vintage clothes as her mother ran vintage shops in London in the 1970's & 80's. Years of hands on experience with Antique clothes led her to take her love of fashion and textiles to the next level, studying Fashion at Chelsea and then Winchester School of Art.

After graduating Astral enhanced her skills in pattern cutting and design in the fashion industry. She met Julien MacDonald after he had graduated from the Royal School of Art and worked with him on his first collection and many others.

Astral previously owned the famous Vintage designer boutique Circa Vintage in Fulham London where she spent 15 years sourcing 'vintage' for the world's leading designers, design houses and for vintage enthusiasts. Her shop also saw a huge number of brides looking for vintage wedding dresses which were never quite right as exhausted fabrics and unfitted tailoring did not quite meet the dream they had conjured up.

The bridal range for Circa Vintage Brides combines all her vast knowledge of antique clothes, textiles and high end cutting to produce a collection of silk gowns made in England exuding all the Glamour of Hollywood Film stars

Header: Bianca by Circa Vintage Brides

The Collection

Above: Chloe by Circa Vintage Brides

Above: Vivienne by Circa Vintage Brides

View the collection

Ask The Expert

What should a bride consider when choosing her wedding dress?

Try on as many shapes as you can until you find the right fit for you. It's also good to experiment with different fabrics from lace, satin, matt and sparkly as this will help narrow down the final choice. You'll know it's the right dress when you feel incredibly glamorous and excited, do make sure you are also comfortable wearing it as it can be a long day and you don't want to be pulling your dress up and down all day. Also make sure you get the right underwear too.

What will be the next big wedding dress trend?

I think strong classic silhouettes with simple embellishment and very floaty 70's chiffon style dresses are going to be the big trends going forward.

What is the best piece of advice you offer your brides?

if you feel stunning in your wedding dress everyone else is going to think you look incredible when they see you. You're allowed to feel beautiful and enjoy every moment of the day.

For more information visit circabrides.com Book your appointment by phone on 0207 998 9005 or email. Keep up to date with Circa Vintage Brides latest news by following them on Facebook & Twitter.

1st May 2012